One of the ways you find out what’s going on (or has gone on), in Venice, is to keep an eye open for posters around the city.

Protest re: large cruise ships ... I was there

In Castello, I noticed a poster on the door of the Chiesa San Francesco di Paola, announcing a Benediction Mass for animals at 11:30 on 15 January.

It was a joy to be present. There were about 30 dogs, one cat and a photo of a parrot. The atmosphere was very relaxed. I hadn’t taken my larger camera as I thought it would be too obtrusive, but, boy, was I wrong! People wandered everywhere, taking photos as the mass progressed. The priest took it all in stride, including the loud eruption of barks when the solitary cat entered, safe in her basket.

Red is in for dogs, too. So many of the dogs wore cozy coats.

The innocent cause of an uproar

He was a lovely old bloke, a bit unsteady on his paws.

I had tucked Licorice, the Travelling Koala into my shoulder bag. He was not only blessed, but one dog gave him a big lick, while another wanted to eat him. Licorice likes most things about Venice!

I’d gladly get you that permanent residence but you don’t even want to know the trouble we’ve run into getting J her carta d’identita for Venice. We have everything else (long-term visa etc) and it should by far be the easiest of all the documents–but there’s a certain woman in a certain office who’s playing very odd and very perverse games for what reason I don’t know. So, alas, I’m not feeling too confident these days about my pull with the authorities here. Probably a good thing, so I can avoid that hubris issue which we know can lead to such unpleasant endings.

Lots of interesting stuiff, Yvonne, thanks ! Well done for attending the protest against large cruise ships – they are so out of proportion to the city, and have to be harming it don’t they ? We used to stay at La Calcina on the Zattere; we couldn’t believe our eyes the first time the window was completely filled with a section of what appeated to be an enormous block of flats passing by, and we could feel the building shaking. Not to mention the horrible black smoke being pumped out. Having to bite our tongues ahead of the PILs visiting us that way in late June…

Yvonne,
You can’t leave in Feb! I count on you now to attend all those things I hope to attend but don’t manage to make it to! As well as take photos of all the things I wish I would have seen or hope I will see in person.

Yvonne your blog is my daily fix. Every morning I walk my dog then take my coffee into the conservatory and sit down to enjoy. Today’s offering was so lovely I read it again this evening!
We will be staying on Guidecca for Redentore so particularly enjoyed your visit there.
Many thanks
Wendy

It is done here as well however ours ends up beside the dogs and cats, having sheep , milk cows and horses so now is held outside the church, it is always a lovely day for both owners and animals, treats for the house pets, carrots for our larger friends.

Usually, he lies on the pillows, staring at the ceiling. So his big day out was spent stuffed in to a shoulder bag, then nearly being devoured by a Venetian dog. (And, I am not making that up.) don’t know whether ‘great’ would come into his description of his life. 🙂

We had a similar service last Autumn. Unfortunately our vicar forgot he had organised this and also booked a baptism at the same time. Chaos! Barking dogs and crying babies. Laugh a minute at All Saints.